Apparatus and System for Providing Content to Paired Objects

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a system include a module configured to identify an object, and to provide audio and/or video content selected based on the identified object. The object is identified, and a portion of the content is selected based on the identified object. The object may be a toy, and the content may be selected to enhance a child&#39;s interest in learning and playing with the toy. The apparatus may be included in a system including the module and an identifier attached to the module, where the module is configured to identify the object by interfacing with the identifier, where the module is configured to select a portion of the content based on the identified object, and to play the content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/850,333, which was filed on May 20, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some objects, such as toys and dolls, are often created without any audio or video content associated therewith. Children playing with the toys are thus left to use their own imagination, and do not receive any stimulation, feedback, or encouragement from the toys.

With the increased use of mobile electronic devices, such as cell phones or other personal electronic devices, it would be advantageous if traditional toys or dolls could be equipped to provide audio and/or video content specifically designed to enhance the child's experience with that particular toy.

Accordingly, a new system and apparatus is needed to provide the ability to modify such toys and dolls to provide audio and/or video content to the toy.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and system for providing content to a paired object.

Embodiments may provide an apparatus and a system that include a module configured to identify an object, and to provide audio and/or video content selected based on the identified object. The object is identified, and the content is selected based on the identified object. The object may be a toy, and the content may be selected to enhance a child's interest in learning and playing with the toy.

Embodiments may provide a system including the module and an identifier attached to the module, where the module is configured to identify the object by interfacing with the identifier, where the module is configured to select a portion of the content based on the identified object, and to play the content.

Further objects, features, and advantages over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description which follows, when considered with the figures provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a module according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an alternative module according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top and bottom views of a module according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view of a system according to an exemplary embodiment.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

Embodiments may provide an apparatus and system for providing content to an identified object. The object is identified, and a portion of the content is selected based on the identified object. The object may be a toy, and the content may be selected to enhance a child's interest in learning and playing with the toy.

The content may be selected by a user or by the system from a stored library of content. The content may be content designed specifically for the toy or object. The library of content may be stored in the module, or in a remote server. If the content is stored in a remote server, the content may be downloadable to a user's personal electronic device and/or to the module. Additionally, the module may be configured to accept sub-modules where the sub-modules may have content stored therein. The sub-modules may have content pre-stored therein that is configured to be used with a toy, a group of toys, an object or a group of objects.

The apparatus providing the content may be a core module taking on an entertaining shape that a child may find interesting and/or amusing. Many different shapes for the core module may be used. In the present embodiment, the core module may be shaped like a star. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory for storing software and content, an I/O interface, as well as various other components.

The system may include the core module, an identification device attached to the toy, and a library of stored content. The system may also include an application run on the module and an application run on a user's personal electronic device. The core module may be configured to identify the toy or object, as further detailed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 110, hereinafter referred to as a module 110, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The module 110 includes at least one processor or controller 114 for controlling the module 110. The processor/controller may be any type of processor or controller, such as a microprocessor. The processor 114 may be connected to memory 116, input output device(s) 118, display device(s) 120, and communications port(s) 122 over bus 112.

The controller 114 may be configured to execute machine readable code or “software” or otherwise process information, such as obtained from a remote server or stored in memory 116. The software or other instructions may be stored in the memory 116 or other data storage device in a fixed or non-transitory configuration. The memory 116 may also store other information or data. Preferably, the controller 114 is configured to execute machine readable code or instructions (e.g. software) which are configured to implement the functionality described herein.

The input output device(s) 118 may be any type of input output devices, such as USB or other ports, touchscreens, microphones, speakers for producing audio content, LEDs, keyboards, gyroscopes, accelerometers, motion sensors, touch sensors, a push button, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a color sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. The display device(s) 120 may not be included in all embodiments but will be included if the embodiments are to include production of video content.

The communication port(s) 122 may be any type of communication port, such as a wired or wireless port, an ethernet port, a serial or parallel port, etc. The communications ports allow connection of the module 110 to external devices or system elements, as further explained herein in connection with FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative module 210 according to an exemplary embodiment. The module 210 includes all elements 112-124 of FIG. 1 (not all shown for brevity), and additionally includes insertable submodules 212. The insertable submodules 212 may include preloaded content designed for a particular toy or object, or for a group of toys or objects. For example, if a user purchased a group of toys all from a same toy producer, a submodule 212 may be provided preloaded with content for each toy of that group of toys. The content may then be selectable by a user as described herein in conjunction with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system 310 and external devices that function with the system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system 310 includes the module 312 (which is equivalent to the modules 110/210), the identifier 316 and the server 318.

The identifier 316 is configured to attach to a toy 314 (or other object). The module 312 is configured to communicate with the identifier to determine the model of the toy 314, and then to provide content specifically designed and configured to be used with that toy 314. For example, the identifier may include an NFC (near-field communication) label that is configured to identify the toy. The module 312 may include an NFC reader configured to read the code from the NFC label to determine the identification of the toy 314. Other communications protocols may also be used, such as SnapTag, RFID, BLE, Wi-Fi, etc. The module 312 may be configured to attach to the toy 314. For example, the module 312 may include magnets configured to attach to the identifier 316, which may be attached to or within the toy 314. The module may also use other means to connect to the identifier, such as Velcro, a zipper or any other means of attaching.

While a preferred embodiment attaches the module 312 to the toy 314, some embodiments may not require physical attachment of the module 312 to the toy 314. However, attachment of the module 312 to the toy 314 may be advantageous, since it may seem to the child that they are conversing with the toy 314 itself, and that the toy 314 is responding.

Once the toy is identified, the module 312 is configured to present content configured for the specific toy 314 that has been identified. The content may be in the form of audio content such as stories, songs, or games, or video content, or a combination thereof. For example, if the toy is a doll configured as a character that appeared in a movie or TV show, the content may include audio and/or video such as songs, phrases, etc. associated with the character. The content may be presented to a user, such as a child through the I/O devices 118 and/or the display device(s) 120, for example. The content may be one or more files stored in the memory 116 that are identified with the particular toy.

The content may be initially stored in a server 318 and then downloaded to the module 312 once the toy 314 is identified. The content may include one or more files. Additionally, once the toy 314 is identified, the content may be presented to a user and all content for that toy 314 may be downloaded, or the content may be presented for selective downloading. For example, a user may have a personal electronic device 320. The personal electronic device 320 may have an application (which may be downloaded from server 318 or elsewhere) configured to connect to module 318 (by wired or wireless connection). Once the toy 314 is identified, the user may be presented with an option to download the content to the module 312. The option to download content may present the user with one or a group or groups of files to download. The files may be individually downloadable or may only be downloadable as a group.

The application running on the personal electronic device 320 may also control play of the content on the module 312, such as through a user interface. The user interface may allow the user to select particular ones of the content files to play, to start and stop play, to control volume, etc.

The module 312 may also be configured to interpret actions of a user of the toy 314 and respond thereto. For example, the module 312 may include software configured to play content in a specific order that may change based on actions or responses of a user of the toy 314. For example, the content may ask the user to spell a certain word. The application running in the module may include voice recognition software configured to determine if the user spelled the word correctly. A correct spelling may result in a first response, such as a statement of “that's correct” while an incorrect spelling may result in a statement of “wrong, please try again.” When the content is a game being played with the toy, actions of the user may be interpreted by the application in different ways, with the different ways being interpreted by the application as different responses by the user. For example, the game may state “squeeze me if you want to keep playing or shake me if you want to play a different game.” The system 310 is configured to respond differently depending on the response by interpreting the response such as through the use of the accelerometers, gyroscopes, motion sensors, and/or other input devices.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a configuration of the module 410. In this embodiment, the module 410 includes LED lights 412 and holes 414 for a speaker and microphone to play audio and interpret sounds, respectively. The LED 412 lights may be used in conjunction with the playing of content or to interpret user responses. For example, touch sensors may be placed near each LED light 412, and the user may be directed to touch the light of a particular color to play a game or indicate a response.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system 510 according to one exemplary embodiment. The system includes a server 514, toys 512 that are connected to a module (not shown) such as modules 110, 210 and 312. In some embodiments, the toys 512 may incorporate the module 110, 210, 312. Other toys 524 are capable of being connected to a module (for example, when the toys 524 include an identifier readable by the module). A user space 516 may include a parent device 518 (which may be a personal electronic device), a child personal electronic device 520 (which may be a personal electronic device), or both in addition to the toys 512, 524 and other smart devices such as smart speakers, home automation systems, etc. The server 514 may receive content and applications from developers and partners. The parent device 518 may have a parent application 519 stored in memory.

The toy 512 may be controlled directly by the parent application or through the server 514 (in this case all commands from the parent application go through the server 514. The toy and module may receive new content from the server 514. Additionally, the parent application may send commands through the server 514 to change the behavior of the toy 512.

The module 110 on the toys 512 may recognize that one or more other toys 524 are near by recognizing the identifier on the other toys 524. This information is passed to the server 514 and to the application in the module attached to toy 512. The application inside the module attached to toy 512 may alter its behavior based on the type of toys 524 that are detected. For example, the toy 512 may be a rabbit toy in a rabbit shape and module 110 may recognize one other toy 524 as a wolf toy with a wolf shape. The application inside the module 110 attached to toy 512 may alter playing content of the rabbit toy with audio content indicating the rabbit is scared as “scared speech”. If and when the wolf toy is detected as being near the rabbit toy, the application inside the module attached to rabbit toy 512 may alter playing audio content with rabbit “very scared speech”.

As another example, the toy 512 may have an attached module 110 with a Star shape, and the module 110 may recognize other nearby toys 524 as character toys such as toys depicting well-known characters Piglet and Winnie the Pooh. The application inside the module 110 may control the playing of the audiobook “Winnie the Pooh” based on the recognition of the characters. For example, the module 110 may stop the story and ask the child to attach the star (module 110) to Piglet and/or Winnie the Pooh to play content from the story, or other content, associated with the recognized character toys.

The child personal electronic device 520 includes an application that allows the child to control some of the functionality of the module attached to the toy 512. In some embodiments, an application for the child is incorporated into the parent device, such as a control environment portion of the parent application 519. The toy 512 may add some interaction to the process of playing games on child personal electronic device 520. For example, the child may play a chess game on child personal electronic device 520 and the module 110 attached to the toy 512 may cheer him up while he wins or loses the chess game. As another example, module 110 attached to the toy 512 may provide joystick functionality and let the child control his character inside a game on child personal electronic device 520.

The parent device 518 may have a parent account registered with the server 514 to obtain applications and content. The parent account may be linked with toys 512 and 524 of the child. After linking, extra content may be provided in child application and in toys 512 and 524. Based on Artificial Intelligence analysis (from data from toys), the server 514 may score a parent in his parenthood and provide advice to improve parenthood. Toys 512 may collect data about how a child plays with the toys 512 and toys 524 and analyze, for example, whether the approach of playing depends on daytime, how intensive movement of the child is when playing, playing frequency, a loudness of the child when playing, whether and how much the child is playing alone or with parent or others. Based on the dynamics and patterns, the module may provide or change advice provided to the parent to play more with the child, or to play specific games that will help the child.

The server 514 provides web-portal with documentation and test and prod API for server and for development of toy applications. The server 514 provides web-portal for content owners where they may control distribution and sales of the content. The server 514 provides web-portal for users to see statistics and use a marketplace to buy extra applications and content for toys.

The server 514 provides integration with instant messaging systems (like Facebook Messenger, Kakao Talk, WeChat, VK, Telegram). Functionality of instant messaging may be controlled or restricting from the Parent Application.

The server 514 provides an API for the independent kids' application and provides an API for integration with external systems like schools or hospitals.

The server 514 may recognize capable toys and link them to a user account in the server 514.

The Parent Application may control what is displayed in the child space on the child personal electronic device 520 or parent device 518.

The child application may change behavior depending on which toy is detected and pass this information to a different external child application that has integration with the server 514.

The child application may provide some information to a different external child application that has integration with server 514.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A module for connecting to an object and for selectively playing stored content, comprising: a processor; a non-transitory memory storing the content and storing instructions to be run by the processor, the instructions configured to cause the processor to electronically determine an identification of the object when the module is connected to the object, and to select a portion of the content based on the determined identification of the object; and an output device configured to play the selected portion of the content.
 2. The module of claim 1, wherein the object is a toy.
 3. The module of claim 2, wherein the module is configured to mount to the toy.
 4. The module of claim 3, wherein the module is configured to connect to the toy when the module is mounted to the toy.
 5. The module of claim 3, wherein the module is configured to recognize and wirelessly connect to a second toy while mounted to the toy.
 6. The module of claim 5, wherein the portion of the content played by the module is altered based on the connection to the second toy.
 7. The module of claim 1, wherein the module comprises one or more input/output devices.
 8. The module of claim 6, wherein the input/output devices comprise an LED light, a microphone, and a speaker.
 9. The module of claim 1, wherein the module is configured to connect to a personal electronic device, the personal electronic device running an application, the module receiving the content based on input to the application from a user of the personal electronic device.
 10. A system for presenting content through identification of toys, the system comprising: a module comprising a processor, a memory, and one or more input/output devices, the module being configured to communicate with a personal electronic device running an application configured to control the module; a module compatible toy configured to connect to the module, the module compatible toy comprising a first identification; one or more identifiers recognizable by the module, the identifiers being associated with an identifiable toy; and a server configured to store content and to distribute content to the module via a network, wherein the module is configured to play a portion of the content based on a connection of the module to the module compatible toy.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the server is configured to receive updates to the content via an API hosted on the server.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the application comprises a kid space through which the content played on the module is controlled.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the application comprises a parent application through which the content played on the module is controlled.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the module modifies the portion of the content when the module recognizes the identifier associated with the identifiable toy.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the module is configured to attach to the module compatible toy.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the module is incorporated into the module compatible toy. 